Core i7-2840QM vs Pentium Gold G6405

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i7-2840QM vs Pentium Gold G6405 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-2840QM vs Pentium Gold G6405: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-2840QM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌200% higher power demand at 45W vs 15W.

Pentium Gold G6405

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 45W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2840QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,817 vs 3,842).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-2840QM better than Pentium Gold G6405?

Yes. Core i7-2840QM is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-2840QM is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2840QM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-2840QM still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-2840QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Pentium Gold G6405 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium Gold G6405 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-2840QM vs Pentium Gold G6405 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-2840QM

The Core i7-2840QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 3,842 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium Gold G6405

The Pentium Gold G6405 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 3,817 points. Launch price was $64.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-2840QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium Gold G6405 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-2840QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i7-2840QM versus 4.1 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6405 — a 52.3% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6405. The Core i7-2840QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6405 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2840QM scores 3,842 against the Pentium Gold G6405's 3,817 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-2840QM. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i7-2840QM vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6405.

Feature	Core i7-2840QM	Pentium Gold G6405
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	4.1 GHz+71%
Base Clock	—	4.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark	3,842	3,817

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2840QM uses the G2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold G6405 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.